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Associated Press Cranston, R.I., Feb. 2—
Biennin Crovagreer, 75, who served 43 years as a convicted murderer without a single visitor or letter from the outside world, died yesterday at the state infirmary, where he was transferred in 1941 under conditional pardon.
He spent 26 years in bed, hopelessly paralyzed.
Crovagreer, a Polish immigrant, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1912 for the shooting to death of Joseph Brigham at West Kingston, R.I., after a violent argument. He had neither relatives nor friends.
My, what a tragedy! Here was a young man, only 32 years old, who spent the majority of his life in prison because of a wrathful moment. There was a quarrel, violent blows and curses flew—then a whipped out pistol—a shot, and lifelong tragedy.
43 long years behind bars. 43 long years of hard beds and prison fare. 43 long years of companionship with murderers, thieves, perverts and human derelicts. Never a day or night of peace; never an hour of human love. Nay, not even a moment of those long years without the guilt-ridden conscience condemning him for taking the life of a fellow man.
In all those 43 years not one friend visited him. Not one of his former acquaintances ever wrote him a letter. Forsaken and forgotten he lived the lonely existence of the doomed.
Jail is no joke! Many young people today have the attitude that they can play with the law and steal, rape, or even murder, and get away with it. But you can’t. Sooner or later the heavy hand of the law falls upon you and then it is too late. Then, you must pay the penalty. Crime never pays.
At 75 years of age Biennin Crovagreer had his first visitor. Death visited him; and his soul went out into eternity. We don’t know if he was a saved man or not, but if he was not, his soul is today with the rest of the Christ rejecting sinners, in Hell.
Hell is God’s penitentiary for sinners. Those who break God’s laws and live and die in sin go there after death. There, their soul is to spend eternity separated from God. Then, their soul will long for God’s forgiving righteous-ness but they shall not find Him. There shall be multitudes in Hell, but every one of them will be lonely; separated from God, being punished for sin. Every unforgiven sin must be punished.
"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30-31.
This was written to you, friend. Unless you have your soul cleansed from the stain and guilt of sin before you die, your soul will go to Hell awaiting the judgment of God. Do you want this? Certainly, no more than you would want to exchange places with Biennin Crovagreer and spend even 43 years in prison.
Well, there is good news for you. There is a way to escape Hell. God has provided a way for you if you will take it.
God’s Word tells us, "Christ died for our sins." 1 Corinthians 15:3. God knew that you would not live good enough to live without sin, so he sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sins; in your place. "Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24.
If you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will be saved from sin’s curse and go to Heaven instead of Hell. God tells us, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1.
You need this salvation; accept Christ today as your Savior.
By Everett C. Lerch, Faith Mission Publications
How sad is the story of this dear soul! No friends, no visitors. Perhaps he felt like David did: "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." Psalm 142:4.
David was a true believer in the Lord. He could find his strength and comfort in the God of the Bible. "Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me." Psalm 142:7.
The Gospel of John tells us of a certain man that had been seriously ill for 38 years. When it came to others helping him to be healed he answered the Lord Jesus with these sad words: "... Sir, I have no man..." John 5:7.
The Lord came to David and to the impotent man and proved Himself a true friend to both of them. A gospel song expresses it this way:
No other Friend so keen to help you;
No other Friend so quick to hear;
No other place to leave your burden;
No other one to hear your prayer.
All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the Mercy seat, leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a Friend like Jesus.
How about you my friend? Can you honestly say that Jesus is your Friend? Perhaps you have lost both friends and family. The Bible tells us of "...a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24. His name is Jesus Christ. One of His many promises is, "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5.
New friendships change each of us to one degree or another. Some for the better and some for the worse. When a person receives the Lord Jesus there is a change for the better and for all eternity. See 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24.
Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me will I in no wise cast out." John 6:37.
Friend, will you come to Jesus as a lost helpless sinner? If you say "No", to whom will you turn? Who can help you like Jesus? The final invitation in the Bible to receive Christ is found in Revelation 22:17, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."
If you are ready to receive the friendship that only Jesus Christ can offer please read the following prayer several times. When you are certain that you understand the message of this tract and this prayer, please pray and ask Jesus to save you. (You may use your own words or the words in this prayer).
"Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You as a lost sinner. I know that You died on the cross to save me. Thank You for the awful price that You paid for my sins. I ask You now to be my Saviour. I ask that You help me to prove myself a true friend to You and live for You daily. Amen."
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour after reading this tract, please write us. We would like to rejoice with you. lpm8998@core.com